"These events make it clear, now more than ever, that Confederate monuments have become symbols of modern white supremacy and neo-Nazism," Fenves said.

The Lee, Johnston and Reagan statues will be added to the collection of the Briscoe Center for scholarly study on campus where they can be displayed in historical context, Fenves said. The statue of Hogg, who was governor of Texas from 1891-1895, "will be considered for re-installation at another campus site."

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The school's move is part of a growing trend to remove Confederate monuments across the country. Some say such landmarks are painful reminders of slavery, while others complain that removing statues and monuments airbrushes key chapters of US history.

Fenves said he understands the importance of history at a major university. But he said the "historical and cultural significance of the Confederate statues on our campus — and the connections that individuals have with them — are severely compromised by what they symbolize."

"Erected during the period of Jim Crow laws and segregation, the statues represent the subjugation of African Americans. That remains true today for white supremacists who use them to symbolize hatred and bigotry."

The removal of the statues early Monday came days before tens of thousands of UT students arrive for fall classes.

" As UT students return in the coming week, I look forward to welcoming them here for a new academic year with a recommitment to an open, positive and inclusive learning environment for all," Fenves said.

"We do not choose our history, but we choose what we honor and celebrate on our campus."